WMECo plans 4.2MW solar facility on top of landfill
in Massachusetts

Feb 13, 2011 - Syanne Olson - pv-tech.org

Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) is
in the early development stages for its second large-scale
solar facility in Springfield, Massachusetts. The
4.2MW solar project will use around 17,000 solar
panels and be built over a capped landfill. WMECo
did not release any contract details of the project,
nor what modules or balance system elements will
be used.

Massachusetts is working its way to 250MW of solar
energy by 2017. Under its Green Communities Act,
each Massachusetts electric utility can own up to
50MW of solar generation as approved by the Department
of Public Utilities. WMECo is the first utility that
received DPU approval and is currently permitted
to install 6MW of solar generation.

“Our solar program helps stimulate development
of large-scale solar facilities and the demand for
regional construction and engineering services. Our
use of a capped landfill creates a new and viable
use for an otherwise challenged property within our
home city,” stated Peter Clarke, WMECo president
and chief operating officer.

Local permitting is in progress with WMECo setting
its sights on construction to begin during this year’s
second quarter. The completion of the project will
fulfill the first 6MW of approval that the company
was given by DPU.